STP-SE Stage 2 suggestions

I have been doing some serious listening, and although bi-amping was much better with the Stage 2 it still is not as good as the SET amps by themselves. Just much sweeter, smoother, more musical. Both amps seem to sound better on their own, even though they appear to be playing at the same level when bi-amping.

Oh well, a good try. It does strengthen my view on both amps and just how good they are!
 
Randy,

It's fun to play around but since getting my Duo XD and playing with a few SET amps, I'm still in shock how wonderful it sounds. I am sure your AM SET amps are amazing. As long as the power level is respected, SET to my ears, is gloriuus.
 
I tend to agree. I really don't think I have ever heard a truly better sounding amp. Many are very close, such as the T+A, but the SET are simply special!
 
I love the Stage 2 preamp... it sounds amazing and is built like a tank... the one complaint that I have heard is the plastic remote (ok, cheap remote :))...

Well Wyred just released a heavy duty real machined anodized aluminum remote control. I might grab one today because it is the one remote I use non-stop and a heavy metal remote just feels so much better!
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Yea, I thought it was a bit expensive, however if it is as high quality and heavy as the prototype that I played with with the Aura then it may very well be the most solid, heaviest remote I have ever seen.

They built the first official batch today getting ready to ship! EJ let me know that he has one for me. I know it is expensive but it really is the interface between me and my system and it is supposed to be a solid metal remote! I suppose I will pop over there after work and grab it :).... I believe he is planning on this being the remote that comes with the Aura, but this is only my assumption.
 
I got one of the new remotes at home. Yes they are pricey but they are also pretty amazing. Probably the heaviest most solid remotes I have ever felt. It just feels right, like a solid chunk of metal, which it actually is! They definitely went from one extreme to another; from cheap feeling plastic to the Rolls Royce of remotes!
 
Looks great Randy. I’d spring for one. A remote for me is very important.
 
I agree and I did. In my view it was the only thing truly lacking in the Stage 2. So a super heavy built like a tank remote matches the build of the preamp. Definitely designed for the Aura, but a very nice add on for the STP and DACs if you are using one as your pre!
 
i have a stp-se stage 0 which i have tried to mod myself but cannot find all the parts spec to keep going. i am trying to decide if i get an aura, wait for a stage 2 used to pop up or try the benchmark la4. anybody compare the la4 to the stage 2 yet?
 
I have never tried the Benchmark pre-amp, but I have directly compared both companies DACs. While I consider the Benchmark very good gear I believe the Wyred DACs anyway, were in an entirely different league. The STP-SE Stage 2 is a world class pre-amp in every way. I do not believe that the Benchmark would be in the same league.

I also believe performing the upgrades yourself would be very hard, to say the least.
 
thanks for you perspective. i have done the ps caps, input and output buffer opamps, voltage regulators and two resistors to nice improvement. i have not found a full spec breakdown of the shotskys, all the volume resistor values, etc and other caps, etc. but i can do the soldering if i know the parts. . suppose i could reverse engineer the values but i didn’t want to have the unit gutted for weeks. i love this preamp. i wonder how the aura will compete with stage 2.
 
stellablues said:
thanks for you perspective. i have done the ps caps, input and output buffer opamps, voltage regulators and two resistors to nice improvement. i have not found a full spec breakdown of the shotskys, all the volume resistor values, etc and other caps, etc. but i can do the soldering if i know the parts. . suppose i could reverse engineer the values but i didn’t want to have the unit gutted for weeks. i love this preamp. i wonder how the aura will compete with stage 2.
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EJ has told me and I have seen first hand that it is not just a matter of getting the correct parts and soldering them in place. He designed and did a ton of trial and error to get everything just right. The parts being used are not standard off the shelf parts.

The STP was the first and originally the SE was released as a Special Edition but then that became the standard, ala, STP-SE.

EJ feels the Aura is better then the Stage 2. I can't say that I 100% agree, but it is quite good. I am waiting for a parts upgraded version (yet to be named) that is slated to be released sometime after the Aura is released. I absolutely love the design of the Aura, a true modern upgrade of the STP-SE in both internal and external design, while keeping the wonderful hookup flexibility in the unit!
 
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